Hello. I recently bought a X1 20D auto, 2012 with 8k miles on it. I'm thinking I have to change the gearbox and transfer box oil/fluid purely because of the age of the car. BMW dealer stands by "seal for life" crap but I'm not sure what to think. It's basically 12-13 years old fluid in there. I've read previous posts about ZF recommending at 60k miles for gearbox oil and 30-60k for transfer boxes fluids. In my case, at 8k miles do I need to change it? Thanks 👍 

Morning Cornel

Welcome to the Forum

Your Gearbox is ZF GA8HP45Z which I believe ZF advise should be serviced every 60 to 100000 km dependent on environment and use (Climate Towing etc) If you feel like teasing your local BMW Dealer service manager ask him if it's sealed for life why do BMW have a gearbox service kit on their parts list 😅 Transfer case is ATC 35L

Personally if it is running well and at the low miles you have it isn't an urgent priority. 12 years is a stretch I would look for a good Independent or better a ZF Transmission Specialist if you can't DIY

Dave

On 6/15/2025 at 8:26 AM, Greydog said:

Morning Cornel

Welcome to the Forum

Your Gearbox is ZF GA8HP45Z which I believe ZF advise should be serviced every 60 to 100000 km dependent on environment and use (Climate Towing etc) If you feel like teasing your local BMW Dealer service manager ask him if it's sealed for life why do BMW have a gearbox service kit on their parts list 😅 Transfer case is ATC 35L

Personally if it is running well and at the low miles you have it isn't an urgent priority. 12 years is a stretch I would look for a good Independent or better a ZF Transmission Specialist if you can't DIY

Dave

Hi Dave, thanks for the reply. I've only had the car for 2 weeks and so far it's running good, i could probably diy-it but I've not done it before so the missus won't let me🤣( it's her car) . Local BMW dealer quote me 830£ for gearbox service and 550£ for transfer box/boxes service. Safe to say I told them I'll sleep on it for a bit😁

Morning Cornel

Most Main Dealers are North of £200 per hour Google the register of BMW Specialists they are normally ex BMW Tech's and will have all the Kit and Knowledge you need more important their Hourly rates are around half the Main Dealer's same applies to ZF Trans Specialist's 

I have always serviced my own cars (hobby) and my wife thinks it's safer than me helping in the garden 😁 I did my X5 earlier this year I brought genuine a ZF service kit £190 OEM Transfer case fluid £70 front and rear diffs £80 total £340  

The transfer case on an E70 is a Faff as BMW decided to hide the drain plug behind the Transfer box support cradle but once I worked it out it went well, whole job took me a morning with coffee and biscuits 

Dave